Pastor Karen, an ordained minister since 1989 is wife to Hugo since 1992, stepmom to David (Robin) and mom to Derek and Andrew. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College with a bachelor degree in Music Education, and a graduate of Colgate Rochester Divinity School with a Masters of Divinity. Karen has also studied at the "Escuela para Extranjeros;" a part of the University of Mexico, Mexico City extension. Following college, Karen taught at Kodaikanal International School, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, INDIA as well as Colegio Marymount in Cuernavaca, Morelos, MEXICO. Following ordination, Karen served at the First Baptist Church in Pittsfield, MA as a minister (1989-1996) and is now blessed by serving the Federated Church of Green Lake, WI. The Federated Church has strong denominational anchors (in ABCUSA; UCC and UMC), but most importantly a shared primary focus on loving and serving Christ.

Pastor Karen has been continually nurtured by great spiritual advisors and mentors - among them: Rev. James Dick; Rev. W. Kenneth and Brenda Williams; Sister Dolores; Chon and Juanita Diaz Toledo and the 'comunidad de base' de San Anton; Rev. Joseph Dale Lock; Rev. John Beattie; Rev. Leonard Sweet; Rev. Brad Berglund; Rev. Pete Scazzero. Karen also treasures the writings and wisdom of Geri Scazzero; Rev. Erwin McManus; Rev. Neil Wilson; Phyllis Tickle; Rev. Richard Foster; Rev. Dallas Willard; Rev. Eugene Peterson, and many others.

Karen loves to share life with her family, follow the Brewers and Packers, sew, exercise, enjoy the flicker of soy tea lights, listen to well-tuned wind chimes, listen to great music and dance, read, and has been an avid Star Trek fan from its inception.

Karen received the 2007 Ralph Garfield Schell President's Award for excellence in congregational leadership. She's also been involved in the planning and participation of the Center for Excellence in Congregational Leadership and the New Church/New Century initiative.

One of Pastor Karen's favorite scriptures: Ephesians 3:14-21
¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.